I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
target circle with a radius of 3 yards.

I would like to make up a bunch of lengths of rope that are each 2-pi
yards long (about 6' 4") with some type of "connector" on the ends so
that I could connect as many as I need to make targets with radii of
1, 2, 3, ... yards.

I have thought of several solutions, but they all have problems. Can
anyone suggest another approach?

Here's what I've considered:

1. Make each length a bit longer and simply tie them together using a
square knot. This is probably the method I will use since it is simple
and easy to use. The only disadvantage is that it is not as quick as
using some sort of locking hook.

2. Make a small loop in one end and put a knot in the other. Connect
the sections by pushing the knotted end through the loop. This is a
simple solution and is a bit quicker than the square knot. The
resulting circle is not as smooth.

3. Make a loop in one end and attach a locking snap connector to the
other end. This would be a little quicker than the previous solution
and would make a smoother circle, but it requires hardware.

4. Overlap the ends and secure them with velcro tape or some sort of
clamp. This is probably more trouble than it is worth.


I only need 5-6 targets, so I could just make each one from a single
piece of rope and permanently connect the ends, but having the 2-pi
lengths provides more flexibility and the connectors make it easy to
"read" the size of the circle at a glance.

On Apr 20, 11:57=A0am, Square Peg  wrote:
> I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.
>
> I would like to make up a bunch of lengths of rope that are each 2-pi
> yards long (about 6' 4") with some type of "connector" on the ends so
> that I could connect as many as I need to make targets with radii of
> 1, 2, 3, ... yards.
>
> I have thought of several solutions, but they all have problems. Can
> anyone suggest another approach?
>
> Here's what I've considered:
>
> 1. Make each length a bit longer and simply tie them together using a
> square knot. This is probably the method I will use since it is simple
> and easy to use. The only disadvantage is that it is not as quick as
> using some sort of locking hook.
>
> 2. Make a small loop in one end and put a knot in the other. Connect
> the sections by pushing the knotted end through the loop. This is a
> simple solution and is a bit quicker than the square knot. The
> resulting circle is not as smooth.
>
> 3. Make a loop in one end and attach a locking snap connector to the
> other end. This would be a little quicker than the previous solution
> and would make a smoother circle, but it requires hardware.
>
> 4. Overlap the ends and secure them with velcro tape or some sort of
> clamp. This is probably more trouble than it is worth.
>
> I only need 5-6 targets, so I could just make each one from a single
> piece of rope and permanently connect the ends, but having the 2-pi
> lengths provides more flexibility and the connectors make it easy to
> "read" the size of the circle at a glance.

Why do you need the rope to be the exact length?  You're learning
golf, not geometry.  Use a length of rope that is as long as necessary
for the biggest target circle.  For smaller target circles just
overlap the rope.  You can paint colored marks on the rope or use tape
to indicate the appropriate length rope to use for a particular target
size.

The target does not have to be perfectly circular, either.  Oval would
be better for a number of reasons.  Generally you're looking to avoid
constraints that are either lateral or linear.  If you can hit the
target more accurately in the more important direction, a little
leeway in the other direction is usually acceptable.

R

On Apr 20, 10:57=A0am, Square Peg  wrote:
> I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.
>
> I would like to make up a bunch of lengths of rope that are each 2-pi
> yards long (about 6' 4") with some type of "connector" on the ends so
> that I could connect as many as I need to make targets with radii of
> 1, 2, 3, ... yards.
>
> I have thought of several solutions, but they all have problems. Can
> anyone suggest another approach?
>
> Here's what I've considered:
>
> 1. Make each length a bit longer and simply tie them together using a
> square knot. This is probably the method I will use since it is simple
> and easy to use. The only disadvantage is that it is not as quick as
> using some sort of locking hook.
>
> 2. Make a small loop in one end and put a knot in the other. Connect
> the sections by pushing the knotted end through the loop. This is a
> simple solution and is a bit quicker than the square knot. The
> resulting circle is not as smooth.
>
> 3. Make a loop in one end and attach a locking snap connector to the
> other end. This would be a little quicker than the previous solution
> and would make a smoother circle, but it requires hardware.
>
> 4. Overlap the ends and secure them with velcro tape or some sort of
> clamp. This is probably more trouble than it is worth.
>
> I only need 5-6 targets, so I could just make each one from a single
> piece of rope and permanently connect the ends, but having the 2-pi
> lengths provides more flexibility and the connectors make it easy to
> "read" the size of the circle at a glance.

5. Splice the rope ends together. Any Eagle Scout, sailboat owner,
farmer, oil rig roughneck, or rancher can show you how. There may even
be a few Navy people that know how. It's surprisingly easy to do, and
a good trick to have when you don't want tp make a long trip to the
store to replace a broken rope. Around here, I always splice a loop in
the end of a new rope as a handy way to cinch a load of stuff to drag
to another location or whatever. Plus it keeps the rope from fraying.
HTH

Joe

In article 
<2...@f12g2000vbf.googlegroups.com>,
 Joe <j...@aol.com> wrote:


> 
> 5. Splice the rope ends together. Any Eagle Scout, sailboat owner,
> farmer, oil rig roughneck, or rancher can show you how. There may even
> be a few Navy people that know how. It's surprisingly easy to do, and
> a good trick to have when you don't want tp make a long trip to the
> store to replace a broken rope. Around here, I always splice a loop in
> the end of a new rope as a handy way to cinch a load of stuff to drag
> to another location or whatever. Plus it keeps the rope from fraying.
> HTH
> 
> Joe

"Splice" and "quick connect" are not synonymous, Joe.

On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:18 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
<r...@earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>"Square Peg" <s...@round.hole> wrote in message 
>news:c...@4ax.com...
>>I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
>> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
>> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
>> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
>> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
>> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.
>
>Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it. 
>Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance you 
>want.

That's brilliant!!! Brilliant, I tell you. ;-)

This has the added advantage of providing for intermediate sizes.

The extra rope can be laid alongside the circle. If the extra rope
creates too much clutter, I can make 2-3 sizes.

Thank you very much.

"Square Peg" <s...@round.hole> wrote in message 
news:c...@4ax.com...
>I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.

Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it. 
Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance you 
want.

On Apr 20, 11:25=A0am, Square Peg  wrote:
> On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:18 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
>
>  wrote:
>
> >"Square Peg"  wrote in message
> >news:c...@4ax.com...
> >>I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
> >> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
> >> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
> >> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
> >> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
> >> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.
>
> >Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it.
> >Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance =
you
> >want.
>
> That's brilliant!!! Brilliant, I tell you. ;-)
>
> This has the added advantage of providing for intermediate sizes.
>
> The extra rope can be laid alongside the circle. If the extra rope
> creates too much clutter, I can make 2-3 sizes.
>
> Thank you very much.

For your small loop, you can use a reduced-coil hangman's noose:

http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/hangmansnoose.html

It'll allow easy adjustment of how snug the loop is.

"Square Peg" <s...@round.hole> wrote in message 
news:s...@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:18 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
> <r...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it.
>>Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance 
>>you
>>want.
>
> That's brilliant!!! Brilliant, I tell you. ;-)
>
> This has the added advantage of providing for intermediate sizes.
>
> The extra rope can be laid alongside the circle. If the extra rope
> creates too much clutter, I can make 2-3 sizes.
>
> Thank you very much.

Glad that helped.  Sometimes throwing out a question to the groups will give 
an answer that you would never have thought of.  YOu may have to sort 
through a bunch of ideas, but one may be just the thing.

On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:36 -0700 (PDT), mike
<y...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On Apr 20, 11:25 am, Square Peg  wrote:
>> On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:18 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
>>
>>  wrote:
>>
>> >"Square Peg"  wrote in message
>> >news:c...@4ax.com...
>> >>I want to make circles of various sizes out of nylon rope to use as
>> >> targets for practicing short golf shots. The method I am using calls
>> >> for the target circle to have a radius that is 1/10 of the length of
>> >> the shot. If I am practicing 10-yard chip shots, I would need a target
>> >> circle with a radius of 1 yard. For 30-yard pitch shots, I'd need a
>> >> target circle with a radius of 3 yards.
>>
>> >Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it.
>> >Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance you
>> >want.
>>
>> That's brilliant!!! Brilliant, I tell you. ;-)
>>
>> This has the added advantage of providing for intermediate sizes.
>>
>> The extra rope can be laid alongside the circle. If the extra rope
>> creates too much clutter, I can make 2-3 sizes.
>>
>> Thank you very much.
>
>For your small loop, you can use a reduced-coil hangman's noose:
>
>http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/hangmansnoose.html
>
>It'll allow easy adjustment of how snug the loop is.

Good suggestion. I was just going to make a permanent fixed loop with
plenty of room for the other end. I hadn't decided how to secure the
loose end (velcro, piece of string, clamp, nothing, ???). It doesn't
need to be tight as it won't have any force on it.

I'll probably experiment a little.

Thanks.

On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:21:50 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
<r...@earthlink.net> wrote:

>
>"Square Peg" <s...@round.hole> wrote in message 
>news:s...@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:46:18 -0500, "Ralph Mowery"
>> <r...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>Why not put a small loop in one end and thread the other end through it.
>>>Then if you mark the rope you just pull through to you get the distance 
>>>you
>>>want.
>>
>> That's brilliant!!! Brilliant, I tell you. ;-)
>>
>> This has the added advantage of providing for intermediate sizes.
>>
>> The extra rope can be laid alongside the circle. If the extra rope
>> creates too much clutter, I can make 2-3 sizes.
>>
>> Thank you very much.
>
>Glad that helped.  Sometimes throwing out a question to the groups will give 
>an answer that you would never have thought of.  YOu may have to sort 
>through a bunch of ideas, but one may be just the thing.

Quite right. This time, it seems to have struck pay dirt.